It's Back!

I have been gone for such a long time, too long, and it feels so good to be back!

Rather than launch into the discussion about why such a long hiatus, I'll just jump right into today's comments. 

We have another new grandbaby in our family!  Little Isabella Joy was born on Valentine's Day, just as her parents desired.  Daughter Rachel and hubby Ethan post pictures on Facebook and Rachel sends me photos via her cellphone.  From the looks of things, baby Izzy (or is she Bella, depends upon whom you ask), is doing well and is just adorable.  Thank the Lord for a safe birth and Mom and baby both doing well.

What else is going on?  Well, I have a cyber friend for whom I painted a custom bird bath.  If you didn't know already, I make birdbaths, some small enough to be soap dishes, others larger, decorative pieces.  They could even be used outside.

Anyway, this person's friend ordered it as a surprise, and I was happy to oblige.  As it turned out, said friend became quite ill, and having that connection brought the person to mind several times daily, so I prayed for healing.  I am happy to report that although weak, my friend is home from the hospital, and recovering.  Thank the Lord for that, also!

Here are a couple of photos of the birdbath.

I could do one for you, too!  For those ordering from my website, be aware that additional postage applies.  The postage price in the shopping cart is not the price you'll pay.  It'll be about $11 more.

Birdbath, soap dish:  $12

Birdbath, large:  $21

Order through the end of February, and get your choice of one bar of soap, free!

Photos, What a Day, and New Sale!

Yea! It's March! Spring is coming! Yea!

I'm including a couple of photos of our trip to NJ. I really think I have the cutest grandchildren, and am showing a photo or two of them to prove it. :-) Two of my daughters are also in the photo, and they're cute, too.

*having trouble loading photos, so I will try again later.

What a day--should be entitled, What a Couple of Days!" We have a problem. Our older dog, Tobey, has decided that he hates our puppy, Beau. He attacks without provocation and goes for blood. This time, he succeeded in either biting or scratching Beau's eye, right through the cornea. It was bad, and Beau needed surgery to save his eye.

I was a mess, but with lots of prayers and a good vet, Beau came through surgery with the vet hopeful that he will keep his sight in his eye, or at least keep the eye. I'll go pick him up tomorrow and bring him back home, where I have to somehow keep him separated from Tobey and Mickey. Yikes. His healing is expected to take 4 - 6 weeks.

In happier news, I'm offering an introductory discount on our body glow. It is a salt/sugar/oil mix that is gently massaged on the skin to exfoliate it. Why do we need to exfoliate, you might ask? It's because our skin cells die regularly as we manufacture new ones. Some of those skin cells flake off, but not all of them, especially in certain conditions--oily skin, winter skin, little friction to help rub the cells off, not enough phytonutrients to help keep our glowing complexions, and finally, age. For some reason, the younger the skin, the more efficiently the skin cells come off, but as we age, they become more stubborn, and we need help.

The sugar in the scrub becomes a sort of peel and gently coaxes those stubborn dead cells to come off. The salt adds vital trace nutrients, and both of them aid in exfoliation. Oil is added to moisturize the skin so that it doesn't dry out completely. An emulsifier is added to keep the product from separating and works also, to make the product less oily, both on your skin and in the shower to help prevent slips and falls. On top of everything else, it smells good!

The regular price is $12, but for this week only, it's just $10. Now is the time to try! It comes in the following scents:

Love My Lavender*
Groovy Patchouli*
Gingered Orange
Rice Flower
Mint Medley
Spun Sugar
Fresh Herbs
Blackberries & Vanilla
Rice Flower
Rochester Lilac
Romantic Rose
*denotes essential oils

Don't forget St. Patrick's Day! Get a shamrock soap in Irish Mist, and a body spray in your choice of the above scents, attractively gift packaged in a festive box. Get this set at the attractive price of only $10! Give it as a gift, or gift yourself. I won't tell.

Get your own Erin go bragh, lassie or laddie!

Early Christmas!

One of my daughters and her husband decided to travel back home to NY from Oregon for Christmas. They found that the best time for them was in early December, so they came for an early celebration. Her twin sister and family came here from NJ, so we did it up just as if it were the 25th instead of the 12th.

What a wonderful time we had! We got to see two of our grandchildren for two days, and loved every minute of it. Having little ones around for gift opening is so much fun, too. I wish it didn't have to end.

In the spirit of the season, my December sale continues:

This December season is one of giving, and so I would like to give to YOU. With any $25 purchase or more, before shipping, that you make as a gift for someone else, I will include a gift for you. Just tell me what you want, and if I have it in stock, it's yours. If I don't have it in stock, I will ask for your 2nd choice. Get a gift for each $25 you spend!

The last day for sending out orders is Dec. 18th. Any orders that come in after that will be sent as I have time, but won't make it for Christmas.

Not on my site are:

Cinnamon Stick Bundles: A bundle of cinnamon sticks with true cinnamon scent, wrapped in ribbon. $5.00 each
Bath Salt Tubes: Sugary Spruce, Sweet Snowflakes, and Cranberry Spice layered in a tube and tied with a bow. Great gift! Only $4.00 ea.
Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, and Lavender. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

See www.soapandgarden.com!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope you all enjoyed your mini-holiday, St. Patrick's Day. It was a pleasant one for me. The weather was warm and sunny, where it's often cold and snowy. It felt just like spring. I know that I can't allow myself to be fooled; winter will return before spring comes in earnest, but it was nice pretending for a couple of days.

We had lots of latecomers at the store, hoping for shamrocks or green carnations, but unfortunately, I had to turn them away, because we sold all we had.

We took an out of state trip to visit our dd, sil, and grandchildren. Their church dedication was on Sunday, so we wanted to be there. We had a good trip, loved spending time with all, and are happy to be back home. :-)

Now, I'm busy finalizing some tax work, paying bills, and working on projects for our garden club. There's always plenty to do!

In honor of St. Paddy's Day, and everything green, here's my special for March:

Your purchase of $10 or over (before shipping) scores you a free bar of any green soap! I carry Sweetgrass, Daybreak (spearmint & eucalyptus), Fresh Cut Grass, Lemongrass, Fresh Herbal, and others. Just ask!

If you'd rather, you can get a glycerin soap with a 4-leaf clover or celtic knot in green, with your choice of scent--Irish Mist, Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemongrass/Lime, Green Apple, and Fresh Herbal, in addition to the above soaps.

Not on site, but available:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Limited Edition Soap: Lavender Patch, a lovely blend of lavender and patchouli. Very few bars left, $6.50 ea.

I am working on the perfect shower scrub, and having fun doing it. :-) I'll post pics of kids and product soon!